Machine for applying labels to the sides of articles as they are moved on their endsthrough the machine



Apnl 21, 1953 T. COOK ET AL 2,635,776

MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS TO THE SIDES 0F ARTICLES AS THEY ARE MOVED ON THEIR ENDS THROUGH THE MACHINE Filed March 24, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS ZmMASL, 500K A7 7' (ZZZ/1453152 Aprll 1953 T. COOK ET AL 2,635,776

MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS TO THE SIDES 0F ARTICLES AS THEY ARE MOVED ON THEIR ENDS THROUGH THE MACHINE Filed March 24, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS 7,90,14,45 L. 600

WmMYJ/mmmmem Arrow/Hy April 21, 1953 T. L. COOK ET AL 2,635,775

MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS TO THE SIDES 0F ARTICLES AS THEY ARE MOVED ON THEIR ENDS THROUGH THE MACHINE INVENTORS Jim/14 151; 0001K wmzyjwzmvarwom ll/900 f M ATZ'UFNEYJZ MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS TO THE SIDES OF ARTICLES AS THEY ARE MOVED ON THEIR ENDS THROUGH THE MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 21, 1953 T COOK ET AL 2, 35,776

Filed March 24, 1950 INVENTORS 77/0MA5L. 6001f.

April 1953 'r. COOK ET AL 2, 35,776

MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS TO THE SIDES OF ARTICLES AS THEY ARE MOVED ON THEIR ENDS THROUGH THE MACHINE Filed March 24, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 21, 1953 UNITED STATE S PATENT OFFICE Thomas L. Cook and Ashley J. Hollingsworth, San Francisco, Calif.; said Hollingsworth assignor to said Cook Application March 24, 1950, Serial No. 151,798

1- 2 Claims. (01. 216-55) I An object of our invention is to provide a an upright position so that the containers to ';which the labels are secured, may remain in an upright position while passing through the machine.

, The labels are disposed in an upright position in a label-receiving magazine and a free moving. presser head placed in the magazine, urges ,the pack of labels toward a suctionhead during the initial contact of the outermost label with -the head so as to increase the pressure of con- ,tact, and thenthe presser head releases the pressure against the pack of labels at the time the suction head actually picks oil the outermost ilabel. There is no complete stopping of the movement of the suction head or the label magazine during the removal of a label by the suction head. The two move in synchrony with each other.

A further object of our invention is to provide a device of the type described in which the suction or vacuum head does not touch the glue roller if a label is not carried by the head. An ,air tight cover is placed over the glue roller when the machine is not used and prevents the glue ,,or other adhesive from drying out. A labelheating roller or a shoe may be substituted for the adhesive-applying roller when labels with a coating of bendable plastic are used.

A label-pressing mechanism presses the labels ion the containers after the labels have been ap- ;plied by the suction head to the containers and the label-pressing means moves at the same speed as the containers during the actual pressling operation. It is possible to position the label-pressing means so as to accommodate containers of different sizes.

. Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompany- Qing drawings forming a part of this application,

3m which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device; Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line I i-11 of Figure 3;

Figure 2a is an enlarged horizontal section T through a portion of the device, and is taken ,along the line Ila-Ha of Figure 3; ,Figure 3 is a vertical section taken along the A ain-ril i re v a Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line IVIV of Figure 3 and shows the double suction head;

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the double suction head and is taken along the line V--V of Figure 4;

on a smaller scale than that shown in. Figure 6 and illustrates the head supporting a label;

Figure 9 is a greatly enlarged view of a portion of the suction head in horizontal cross section and a portion of the gluing roller also in section and illustrates how the label edge is picked up by the roller; v

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the gluing roller;

Figure 11 is a front elevation of the gluing roller;

Figure 12 is a side view of the gluing roller when looking from the opposite side from that shown in Figure 10, a portion of the glue container being shown in section;

Figure 13 is a horizontal section of the gluing roller and associate parts and is taken along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 12;

Figure '14 is a vertical section of the gluing roller and associate parts and is taken along the along the line XVIIXVII of Figure 11, and illustrates the fingers used for preventing the label from adhering to the glue roller;

Figure 18 is a horizontal section taken along the line XVIIIXVIII of Figure 14, and illustrates the gearing mechanism between the glu- 5o1 ing roller and the glue feeding auger;

Figure 19 is a horizontal section through the glue compartment and is taken along the line XIX-XIX of Figure 14;

Figure 20 is a top plan view of a portion of Figure l, and substitutes a label-heating roller for a gluing roller;

within the scope of the appended. claims without.

departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In carrying out our invention, We provide 'a casing indicated generally at A in Figure 3. casing may be portable; if desired, and we have shpwn it'inounted upon rollers 1. Within the casingwe mount the various units for operating the container conveying mechanism indicated generally at B. Inthe top plan View of Figure 1, wejshowa label-feeding magazine C, a label applying mechanism D, an adhesive-feeding mechanism E f or the labels, and a pressure applying mechanism indicated generally at F, this latter mechanism pressing the labels firmly against the containers to cause them to adhere. All of these mechanisms will be explained in detail in theorder. named and it should be noted that they will operate on the containers while the latter are continually moving from the entrance end of the conveyor to the exit endso as not to interfere with thecontinuous movement of the containers."

Container conveying mechanism Referenceto Figures 1, 2 and 3 shows the con- ,tainer conveying mechanism comprising a drive shaft 2, see Figure l, and a driven shaft 3. Lower and .upper sprockets i and 5 are mounted on the drive shaft'i, see Figure 3. The sprocket t is placed under a platform 6 on which the container's are adapted to slide while being supported. The upper sprocket 5 may be adjusted on the shaft2-toaccommodate containers 'of different heights. 1

The driven shaft 3 hasan upper sprocket I, see Figure 1,- that is operatively connected to the sprocket 5 b means of a: sprocket chain 8. The chain may be provided. with. depending fingers 9, see FigureB, thatare designed toengagewith the tops of the containerszformoving. them along the platform. The. lower. drive sprocket. 4 shown in This, 7

Figures :2, and: 3 has asprocketchain H1. passed I therearound and. this. chain isalso, passed around a lower sprocket ia, which is mounted on the driyenshaft 3 and inthe same horizontal plane as thesprocket 4. The chain iii has upwardly extending container-contactingfingers ii. that I esl da ln eeeive i ots. !2 i edthe platform 6 v The fingers i I contact the lower portions of the containers G. and move them along the .platform 6 The containers slidably contact an adjustable guide plate 1 Eithat extends upward- .ly fromthe plate 5 and is designed to extend from the shaft 2 to the shaft 3, see Figure 1.

The containers G may be fed on to the platform from the. left hand end thereof as shown in Figure 1 by any meansdes'ired. We have indicated a star wheel J for feeding the containers, but we do not wish to be limited to any particular container-feeding mechanism. The shafts 2 and 3rotate in a clockwise direction when looking at Figure '1" and the containers are continuously moved from the left hand end of the guide 13 to the right hand end during the application of the labels to the containers.

Before describing the label feeding mechanism, it is best to set forth the mechanism for rotating the drive shaft 2 for the endless conveyor B. In Figures 2 and 3 it will be-noted that we provide a motor K and this motor is connected to a reduction gear mechanism indicated generally at L and the latter is operatively connected to the drive shaft 2 by any means desired, such as by a chain and sprockets indicated generally at I4. A door 11 5 is hinged to the casing A and when the door is swung into open position, access may be had to the motor K, reduction gearing L and the sprocket chain l4.

Label feeding mechanism The label feeding mechanism is indicated generally at C in both Figures 1 and 3. A magazine I l forreceiving labels M is mounted on a link 18. The link in turn has the end disposed-nearestthe platform 6 pivotally connected at..i'9 to a crank arm" 26. The crank arm in turn ismounte'don a stub' shaft 2!, see Figure 3, and .the'latter is c'onnected by means of a chain and sprocketsZS to the drive shaft 2. Both Figures 2 and 3 show the sprocket chain passed around a spring-pressed idler 25a that takes up slack in the chain; The purpose of this will be set forth hereinafter. The other end of the link I8 is mounted on anioscillatable arm 25, see Figureii. The arIh-inturn-is pivotally connected to the top plate 2.1 of'a housing A. The crank arm. 25 is rotated in, a "clockwise direction when. looking at Figured."

The label magazine I? hasan operrend' 28, see Figure 1, and the sidewalls of the magazine have The outer label ofthe group of labels Mis pressed against the flanges. 'A, weight 39 is placedin' the magazine ill and: is freely movablev therein' so-as to bear against the rea-rmost labeland; force-the applying mechanism D. This force'is exerted when the magazine I! is substantially in its'furthest position toward the conveyor end ofthe'machine and when the suction head, hereinafter described, is in contact withthe outermost-label;

As the throw of the crank arm 20 moves the magazine I! away from the suction head; the

force of the weight exerted against" the back of the labels will be lessened due to'the particular clockwise rotation of the crank arm 20- and the oscillating movement of the arm 26. The forward movement of the weight against the back-of the labels is greater than the movement of the weight away from them and thisresults' in the weight moving forwardly in" the magazine in a progressive manner so as always to apply pressure against the back of the" pack of labels at the time a label is being removed. In this way we obviate any need for using 'a spring-pressed plate for urging the pack of labels toward the forward end'of the magazine as these labelsfare removed one at a'time by'the suction head; The label magazine I! is removably mounted onythe 1ink I8. Figure 3 shows the magazine as having a projection iii-that is received in a socket-"32 formed on the 'upper surface of the "link l8. The magazine H also has a depending saddle 33 that receives a portion of the link,*the saddle"having a grooved under surface in which ceived.

Label-applying mechanism The label-applying mechanism D comprises a cylindrical-shaped double suction head and the cylindrical casing 34 thereof is shown on alarger scale in Figure 4. In the vertical section of Figure it will be seen that the casing 34 is the link is rerigidly mounted on a vertically slidable hollow shaft 24 which may be termed a torque tube.

Figures 2a and 3 illustrate the hollow shaft 24 as receiving a threaded shaft 58. A nut 24a is secured to the lower end of the shaft 24 and 'is threaded upon the shaft 58. The lower end of the shaft 58 is rotatably supported by abearing 58a which can slide over the bottom of the casing .A for a purpose hereinafter described. An outer hollow drive shaft 23 receives the shaft 24 and is keyed thereto, see Figure 2a, so that a rotation of the shaft 23 will rotate the shaft 24 and with it the casing 34.

Figure 3 shows the hollow drive shaft 23 ex.- tending through a horizontally-movable housing Al and carried thereby by bearings 23a. The purpose of the housing AI will be described later. The shaft 23 is rotated at one-half the speed of the shaft 2| and obtains its power from the shaft 2 I, through the medium of a small gear 22 keyed to the shaft 2| and meshing with a large gear 22a, keyed to the hollow shaft 23. The shaft 23 permits vertical movement of the shaft 24 for adjusting the height of the label-applying head D with respect to the containers G. The purpose of this will be explained more in detail hereinafter. Sufficient to say at present that a hand wheel 59 is mounted at the top of the threaded shaft 58 and may be rotated for raising or lowering the head D. A manually actuated lock nut 3811, see Figure 3, is mounted on the shaft 58 above the top of the hollow shaft 24. After the head D has been raised or lowered by rotating the hand wheel 53 in the desired direction, the

' nut 68a can be tightened down upon the shaft .24 for connecting it to the shaft 58 as a unit.

Both will rotate as a unit during the operation of the machine.

We will now describe the structure of the double-suction head casing 34. A transversely extending cylinder 35, see Figure 4, extends diametrically acrossthe cylindrical casing 34 and has bearing members 36 and 36a mounted at the ends thereof. Each bearing member has'a passage 31 and 31a, respectively, for slidably receiving a hollow piston rod 38 and 38a. The piston rods 38 and 38a have enlarged heads 39 and 39a,

respectively, received in enlarged cavities 48 and 40a, and these cavities extend to the outer periphery of the cylindrical casing 34. The heads 39 and 39a are hollow and communicate with the hollow piston rods 38 and 38a. The outer end of each head is perforated at 41 and Ma, respectively, and the outer surfaces of the heads are made arcuate and have the same radius as the radius of the cylindrical casing. When the head 39 is in its innermost position within the cavity 40, the arcuate outer surface 42 of the head will be a continuation of the cylindrical surface 34. The head 39a has its outer surface 42a similarly shaped.

The hollow piston rods 38 and 38a have pistons 43 and 43a mounted at their inner ends with the pistons being slidably received in the transverse cylinder 35. In the double suction head, the

pistons 43'and 43a are urged toward each other c "and toward the center of the cylinder casingby 75 phere through thenrema nmg -1 89.

the transverse cylinder 35. In Figure 5, the left hand hollow piston rod 38 has its'o'penings 45 communicating with the interior of the cylinder 35 and this cylinderhas an opening 46 that communicates with a suction chamber 41. The suction chamber is formed in a lower stationary valve head 48 that rotatably receives thecylindrical casing 34 and is rigidly securedtoa suction pipe 49 and therefore the head is held against rotation. Figure 3 shows thexsuction pipe 49 extending through the top 21 of the housing A and'connected to a suction pump N by means of a flexible conduit 50. A vacuum release valve 5| isplaced on the pipe 49 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The lower stationary valve head 48 has a suction passage 52 that places the pipe 49 in communication with the suction chamber 41... The suction chamber is large enough to apply a continuous suction to the portion of the cylinder 35 that houses the hollow piston rod 38, during a half circle rotation of the suction head. By this we mean that the rotation of the cylindrical casing 34 through one-half. a'circle will move the opening 46 of the cylinder 35 from one end to the opposite end of the suction chamber .41, so that the suction produced in the chamber 41 will also be carried into the portion of the cylinder 35 disposed between the piston 43 and the bearing 36. This suction in the cylinder portion will move the piston 43 to the left in Figure 5 to project the surface 42 beyond the casing 34 when a label M closes the openings 4i and pre vents atmospheric air from relieving the vacuum. The label will therefore be spaced from the cylindrical wall of the casing 34 by the head39 and this operation will be automatic.

The top of the casing or casting 34 rotatably receives a stationary upper valve head 53. This head is carried by a rod 54 that is axially aligned with the suction pipe 49 and is secured to a projection on the lower stationary valve head ,48 so that the two heads will act as upper 'and'l'ower stationary valve heads for the suction mechanism. It will benoted that when'the left hand suction opening 43 is in communication with right hand portion of thecylinder 35 will be relieved because the right hand opening 55 communicates therewith and this opening also com- -municates with a compartment or header 56 which is similar tothe suction compartment or header 41, but is in communication with the atmosphere through an opening 51.

From thestructure thus far set forth, it will be apparent that each half of the cylinder 35 will be successively brought into communication with the suction compartment 41 of the valve or header 48 during a, rotation of about of the casing 34 with the cylinder 35 and then will be brought intocommunication with the atmos- .a rqteiw :smasgrze Both:cylinderrhalves,:willathereiore. be :provided -withliright aand cleft :zhand openings 46 and. with rightsand left hand release-openings ;55 The :purposerof'izhisiiwill be made clear asitheioperattion iof :thetzmachine isidescribedh 'Itno label :is placed overttlieiopenihg's "A I rand 41 a in each iheadlfle sand 3i9a, 1resnaectivel-y',lithe springs M -will retract ;the rhead 180 that itsaouter surface 42 or @1261 i'w'ilL formita' ioon'tinuationgof the .oute13- cylin dricala'surface;ofzth-e casing 34.

I'It sipossibl'e :to :adj ust tthe-casing "3'4: vertically 580 :-as' itoeleva'te or lower the positions, of the ihzeads 3 9 and3 9a with :respect to the-containers 2G,:seeiEigurea3. ilhe screw;shaft 5 8chas itslower 'en'd utotatabl-yu'eceived :in 'the. :bearing 58a. The up'p'enendtof the: threaded: shaft 58.;projects above ith'ei slidable; shaftnM t-and' is providecl :with the :handwvheel 5.9;, The rotation ofthehand-wheel awill'irotate ithe shaftftiaand will "raise or lower theislid'ablezsshaft 2: 1., The'result is airaising or flowering-10fithelcasing 3'4, ;Itwi1l also be seen .from Figure?) ithatcthe topzofrthet slidable hollow shaft 24 is provided with a hand wheel 60 by meansroffwhich theacasing 34 may be manually rotated into the \de'sired::position. Manual-rotathan may "be:resortedztoiwhenacheoking theinitial removaltof the.:label;M-:from the magazine I1 and ithe applying-10f ithe ilabel :Jto, a container- G.

JlDuring the a'operation, of the machine, the .threadedishafti58 rotates with the shaft 23 and the ibearing 758a "rotatably supports the shaft. 'Wezmount thexlock nutifillaaon thethreaded shaft 58.-:above:'the topiof vthegsha'it12:3. 'Ihis nut has -diametricallvxextending Irhandles p. by .means .of which ltheznut'may .berotated and locked v against "the top df-the-shaftfl forsecuring this .shaft'to theLthreadedJShafUEB as-azunit.

Adhesive;applyinwmechaniem y We "provide 'novel -means for applying glue or other-adhesiveautomatically to the label Mas it 'is carried fro'm the label "magazine to the con- ".tainerfG wherethe label *is to be applied. In Figure '4we indicate the *relative position of the adhesive applyingmechani'sm with relation to the suction head casing 34. Figures '7 and 9 to :19, inclusive, illustrate the adhesive applying mechanism Referring to Figure 14, 'it'will be seen that we provide a vertical'spindle 6| that has a gear 62 mounted at its lower'end. This gear-is in mesh with a largefg'earfiisee Figures 2 and 3, that is mounted on the hollow shaft 23 so as to be rotated thereby. A knurled knob -64 is mounted at theftop of thejspindle'or vertical shaft 6 I 1 An adhesive carrying drum -or roller {65 is mounted on the shaft '61 so as co beg disp osed 'in' a vertical position. "Figure .15f'shows a horizontal section through the drumti on a larger scale-and the drum or roller I is caused to rotate in -a clockwise direction when looking at this figure. The-adhe'sive 66'is carriedin'areservoir 51 and an auger 68 extends down into'the-reservoir andcooperates 'with'a tubularpa'ssage in a-casing-BB forprovid- 'ingfavertical conveyor for lifting the adhesive fromthe reservoir. gFigure l4 showsthe casing 69 provided with a radially exten'ding outlet 1.0 near its top and this outlet is illustrated on a larger scale'in Figure 16. The 'auger 'fiiiiliftslthe adhesive through the vertical bore :69a .that

"snugly receives the'auger so thatathecadhesive is "lifted andv delivered to the outlet passage 10.

Referring toFigure 16, -it" will' be seenlthat the outlet lflcommlinicatswitha vertical groove ll provided *in the-casing' 69iiandcthisigroove .paral -1els :the neuter: surface aofj the roller v65. lhe zedhesive will flow downwardly along the groove 11' in sufiicientizquantity:to:eontact with the outer surfaces of the roller 65, and thus supply an even 'Tfilnrof adhesivefromfthe top to the bottom of the, roller. Any excess gluewill find'its way back into the reservoir B'lfthrough"the'opening 61a in the reservoir top'where/it canagain'be lifted by ifihe-jauger fi8. I

'The casing'BQ for the auger has a lip 12 that acts as a Lfilm ldepthiregulatorffor determing the depth of lthe film ofadhesive applied to the roller. It ispossible to rock the casing EQJabout the axis of the auger ,681as a'pivot and move -the film regulating, lip 112 the desired distance from the outer surfacefof jthe roller. In Figure 13 we show the auger casing] 59 p provided with a forked finger 173 that straddles "a "stud 14 that extends frornian uprightlli. 'Aknurled'nutm is'mounted onithethreaded stud Hfa'ndmay be'adjustedffor swinging the casingfiil andthu'sposition the lip 72. the desired distance,from..the outersurfa'ce, of the roller 'fili.

"The reservoir 61sec Eigure 12, has aremovflblejcover'l'l andlthe cover carriesa handle 18. 'The auger l'iiil is rotated by vthe'shaft 6| through the twotopogears Tsiandlill that meshwith each other and arelmount'ed on the auger'shaft and on the shaft 6| respectively. The auger "68 has ,a. tapered sleeve 68a rotatably received "in a tapered bearing, see Figure '14,' and"-the'gear i9 is tpositioned just aboverthe sleeve. A housing "70a encloses the gears'l'9 and'BG and it has an opening -'l79a large enough for permitting the auger 68 to be withdrawn for cleaning. The auger shaft projects above the gear 19 and is provided with a knob that extends above the opening 19a to facilitate the withdrawal of the auger for inspection and cleaning.

When the imachine is'not being used, -a hermetically-tight casingt I is. placed over'theroller 155 and the auger 68 andfhasits lower endresting on a gaSketBZ, see, Figure 14,750 that no airjcan enterthe casing or hood 18L 'Thi prevents the adhesive, from drying out between operating periods.

We provide fingers 83- for removing the labels "frornthe outer surface of the roller fifiland these 'fingers are shownlin' Fig-ures 10,T11 andj17. "Each 7 finger '83 isvswingably mounted on ,a vertical rod 84 and a (spring yielding'lyi holds the pointed end of thevfingeriagainstthe glue roller 65. As the label.-M;is.carriedpast the adhesiveapplying roller 65-by the suction head .caSingQ-B Lithe springs 85 .keep the fingers i333 incontact with the outer surface of the roller iifiiso asto-freethe t label from the-roller. The particular manner -.o"f accomplishil'ig this is clearly shown in Figure 4. In vFigureB weiillus'trateihow the entire eta-M is applied with adhesive 66. L'Zhe fact vthat the center of the i label is applied with adhesive .isdue to the fact that thesuction head 39.110165 the label awayfrom-theoutervsurface of the cylinider=34 and in a position Where the center por tion will contact with the adhesive applying roller.

Figure 7 illustrateshow the label M will have a -.tendency to remain inva flat plane while it is being carried around by the suction head casing 34. 4 Therefore, the advancing edge of the vlabel will =be-the;.first to strike the adhesive roller and this shown diagrammatically and ona larger scale in Figure- 9, Since-the roller 65 in Figure ,9 is rotating in la clockwise-directionand the. sucn he zsesin i t tineae ur eml m wise direction, the leading edge of the label M will be forced in between the casing 34 and roller 65. The adhesive film on the roller 65 will act as a gear to pull the forward end of the label into proper position in between the casing and the roller. The film or adhesive on the roller 55 will not contact with the outer surface of the revolving casing 34 at any time and this is clearly illustrated in Figure 9.

As soon as the advancing edge of the label passes between the adhesive roller 55 and the suction head casing 34, the fingers 83 will remove the label from the roller 65 as shown in Figure 4. We make use'of a number-of fingers 93 and this isclearly shown in Figures 10 and 11; When the label is carried on to the container G for application thereto after the label has received its film of adhesive, we provide a simple means for aiding in removing the label from the casing 34 and in applyingi't to the container. This means comprises two *endless bands 86, see Figure 6, that: are received in spaced grooves 81 provided the'outer surface of the casing '34. The stationary valve heads 48 and 53 carry integral arms 88 and these arms support a spindle 89. Freely rotating pulleys 90 are mounted on the spindle 89. v

Figure 1 shows the position of these pulleys so as to cause a' portion of the bands 86 to extend parallel with the container conveying chain B. The endless bands 85 will be passed around the casing 34 and around the pulleys 9i! and their purpose is to causethe forward end of the label to move in a plane parallel with the movement of the container during the application of the labels to the containers. 4 A large area of the label is forced against the container G, by the head 39, but thusfar the label applying means does not curve the ends of the label against the outer surface of the container.

The pressure applicating mechanism indicated generally at F in Figure 1 accomplishes this feature. One or more arcuate-shaped label-pressing members 9| and 92 may be used. The member M is carried by an arm 93 which in turn is pivotally carried by links 94 and 95. The other label pressing member 92 is carried by an arm 96 that is also connected to the other ends of the same links 94 and 95. The center of each link 94 and 95 is pivotally mounted at 9! and 98, re-. spectively, to rotating discs 99 and I90. These discs aremounted on shafts I! and I02. Reference to Figure 2 shows the shafts I01 and I02 connected to the main drive rotatable sleeve 23 by'means, of'achain and sprocket indicated generally at I03. The timing of the movement of the labe1-pressing members 94 and 92 is such that they will move in the general direction of the moving containers G during the actual pressing of the labels on to the containers, and while the containers are being moved by the conveyor B.

Coil springs I04 and I05 yielding-1y hold the label-pressing members in contact with the containers G during the time the members 9i and 92 are held in contact with the containers. The rotating discs 99 and I09 and the eccentric mounting of the links 94 and 95 on the discs will cause the label-pressing members to swing in a circle whose arc portions will be substantially tangent to the line of movement of the containers. The slight variation between the arcu ate movement of thelabel-pressing members and the straight movement of the containers G during 10 the actual contact between the two will be com pensated for by the springs I04 and I05.

Before starting the machine to operating, the label-applying head D should be adjusted toward or away from the conveyor B to position the head in proper relation to the containers G. The size of the containers to be labelled determines the position of the head D. Figures 2 and 3 show the movable housing A supported on slides I6. A screw shaft I06 extends through a wall I0! of the casing A and is threaded into a threaded bearing I08 carried by the movable housing A. A rotation of a hand wheel I019 will rotate. the shaft and move the housing A to ward or away from the conveyor B. The housing carries with it the label-applying mechanism D and moves it toward or away from the. con' veyor.'B.. The shaft 53 moves with the mecha nism D'and so does'li'kewise the bearing 58a." The spring-pressed idler 25a keeps the sprocket chain 25 taut as the adjustment is made.

The vertical adjustment of the mechanism D is then made to position the label at the desired height on the container. The lock nut 60a is first loosened and then the hand wheel 59, see Figure 3, is rotated in the desired direction for raising or lowering the shaft 24 and with it the mechanism D. The magazine C is next provided with a supply of labels M and the machine is ready for operation; 1

The motor K is now connected to a source of current by the closing of a switch, not shown. The motor not only operates the device, but it also actuates the pump N which applies a vacuum through the flexible hose 50 and "suction pipe 49. The pipe 49 has the vacuum release valve 5| therein and when the valve is closed, a suction or vacuum will be created in the suction chamber 41, see Figure 5. Air will therefore be sucked into the openings 4| just as the piston head arcuate surface 42 and the outermost label M in the pack of labels in the magazine 0 are brought into contact with each other. The crank arm 20 will be moving the feed end of the magazine C insubstantially the same di-' rection as is taken by the piston head arcuate surface 42. The arcs of the two circles described by the crank arm 20 and the piston head arcuate surface 42 will be tangent at the point where the head contacts the outermost label in the magazine.

At this moment the weight 30 will be pressing against the back of the pack of labels so 7 as to cause the outermost" label to make good contact with the piston head arcuate surface 42. The label will be sucked against the head arcuate surface 42 and will act'as a valve for closing the openings 4| in the piston head 39 and as soon as air cannot enter the passageway 31 to relieve the vacuum, the force of the vacuum will immediatelyact on the piston 43 to move it to the left in Figure 5 against the tension of the spring 44 and cause the arcuate outer surface 42 of the piston head 39 to project beyond the outer surface of the cylindrical casing 34 a predetermined distance. Adjust-' able set screws 36b and 360 are received in threaded bores in the inner ends of the bearing members 36 and 39a, respectively. The piston 43 and 43a abut these screws when the vacuum actuates the pistons 'due to the closing of the openings M or Me by a label.

The adjustment of the stop screws 36b and 360 is such as to cause the suction heads 39 and 39a to be extended a fixed distance beyond I? the: cylindrical surface of Tth e casing 34 s andato carry the .labels r-M: past. the adhesive; roller't'a' where a'layer of adhesive? will beappliedhto the entire label. surface. The surface of the casing 34 is spaced from theizlayer cfiadhesive onthe roller 65 and so isvlikewise the suction head 39-0r 390: when no label is carrieduby either head.

The timing of the device is such that the suction head with. itsrlabelM will reach {the portion. of thezconveyor BJ'ust as .a container G is brought into" position. As: soon as the label is pressed against the container,;the passage55, see Figure 5,. associated with the piston 43, willreach thecompartment 56 and'ithe air willrush .in to relieve:;the-vacuum..and freenthe label. from. adhering to: the-,suctionxhea'd. "The application of. suction .to' the: two heads: 3j9 s'and' 38a. is automatically accomplished. and relieved at. the: proper. time: intervals: to; remove; labels one 'at;..a time freon the pack of labels andto apply them to the containers. Twolabels-are removed :for: each revolution. of: theiacasinggjtll.

lffor-any reason .a. container,Grshouldgnot be fed into-the conveyorto:receiveaalabel, we provide novel meansforcutting-f1thesuction so no label will be. picked hp vbytheasuction headqthat is to l applyatherlabel' tothe container. InFig-ure 1 a leverl Wis-shown placed ati-the entrance: to the conveyor :"B; A1 torsional spring Hfla, see Figure 20, yieldingly-holdsthelever nearer the sprocket; chain 8 than necessary to permit acqntainer to pass-.qbetween .the lever and=; the;chain. jI-hedever is mounted on; a: shaft H |,.;see also Figure and v the. shaft .has: an arm H2qconnectedthereto. which-in turneis connectedtby a-link-l l3-to aev-alve actuating arm H4. The arm l M -;holds,the vacuum .release valve-5| open-so longas no containersienter .the conveyorg and therefore no-. v;acuumcan. reach the suction-heads-to remove :labels from thepaclc of labels in.- the magazine As scon as-a container-hoesenter the conveyor B, the control lever Hit-Will be-swunga-nd through the shaft 111;, ar-m 1H2, link. H3 and. 3,1'1115'1'4, will actuateethelatteniorclosing the vacuum release valve .51. Flfiheresultz will bee-the applying .of a vacuum tothesuction heads at the proper: time for removing,- labels from -..the label magazine.

After the label is appliedteatime-container; the pressure applicators F will press the :lahel to the container for causing: 'it-to adhere-thereto: The movementxof the container. is-n0t :halted :or. interfered with in: any; manner while- :the pressureapplicators are performing their function;

We have already explained how-the adhesive is applied to the roller 65- and howthe fingers 83 remove the label from the roller or drum. When the machine ceases to operate; theecover- 8!: can be placed over: the drum-85 and as scciate parts to make. an hermeticseal. The adhesive is prevented fromdrying out.

It is. possible for the-label applying machine to be used with labels that have a layer: of bond able plastic applied thereto. The plasticis of such anature that when-it is heated it will act as an adhesive and: cause the label to become attachedto any surfaceagainstwhich the label is pressed. In Figures to 23 inclusive, we show a slight modification of the machine in which the adhesive; applyingv rollerv 65- can be dispensed with andin lieu-thereof; heated roller I25-is used, see Figure 21. Theroller 125' is placedadjacent to the cylindricalcasing 34- ofthe label-applying vmechanism D and thesuction heads 39" and-39a. will removelabels M: from the label receiving :magazine' IT. The magazineand its associated mechanism for moving. it in a-particula-r manner are the same asthatdescribedin the earlier part of this specification; The labels M will have layers' of bendable plastic material applied thereto and this material will "cause the labels to become attached toa surface against which they are pressed ii -the bondingmaterial-isfirst heated.

Figure 20 illustrates the labelapplying'mechanism D associated 'withuthe labelfeedi-ng' mechanism C for successively removing thelabels M- from' themag-azi-neand. for carrying: them past the rotating heated roller] 25. Thesuction heads 39:.and 390: will support "individual labels; each with its: plastic: layer." facing outwardly so that this layerrwillv bebroughtinto contact with the rotating and heated roller. 1-25. The roller may be-heated by any means-desired and we have shown. aheating element [2.6- placed within. the roller. :andconnectible to .a source .of current l2'lby. :a switch -l28-so thattheroller will. be

heatedwhen thesswitch is closed.

The means for rotatingthe roller. comprises the gears Gland-'63 The gear 63-is rotatedby the hollow shaft 23 and this gear meshes-with gearingffifl for rotating the latter at the proper speed. The: gear 62- is mounted on a shaft I 29 that'in'turn-suppor-ts theroller I25.- A rotation of the gear 62 and theshaft IZS-will-cause the roller I25 to rotate.

. Inthe-operation of this :formof the" device, the label M will be removed from the-magazine C and will-be carriedpast the roller l 2 5-so-asto contact with itsheated surface. The plastic layer on the. label is heated, and then the label is carried around: by the label-applying mechanism D 1 and i is secured to thecontainer G in the same manner as explained for the labels M. The-container G is movedby the container conveying mechanism B which has already. been describedfland thetiming is such that the label- With itsrheated plastic layer will bebrought into contact with the container as the. latter. ismoved' by the conveyor.

Figure 22 illustrates the plan view of thetwo meshing gears-62 and .63, .while Figure .23 illustrates the position of the roller I25 with respect to the casing 34 of. the labelapplyingmechanism Di The label M is shown beingpassed between thecasing 34 and theroller I25 for the purpose of heating theiplastic. layer. The fingers "83'are yieldingly held against the roller 125" by the springs 85 so as to preventthe label fromadhering to the'surface of the roller. As soon as the label is applied to the container G, the suction to'thesuction head 39 or 39c is automatically cut off and therefore the label will adhere to the container. The presser feet F shown in Figure 1, and not shown in Figure 20; are used for pressing the entire surfaces of the labels against the-containers.

In Figures 24 and 25a slightly modified form of label heating means is illustrated. In place of the heated'roller 125, We provide a heated shoe I35. Theshoe has an arcuate inner face I36. see'Figure '25 and this face is provided with arcu ate ribs I31. As the. label M after being re moved from the magazine C, is carried past the heated shoe I35 by the label-applying mechanism- D, the outer surface of the label-that has the layer of plastic thereon will be brought into con.- tact with the ribs I31 and slidesthereover. These ribs are-heated by aheating element- I38 that is placed within the hollow shoe I35 and the heated ribs plus the heat radiated by the concave surface I35 will heat the plastic layer on the label. The label applying mechanism D will carry the label from the shoe I35 to a container G, not shown in Figure 24. The container is moved in a continuous manner by the conveyor B and the label will be applied to the container as the latter moves in the manner already described for the labels M. The label is then pressed into intimate contact with the outer surface of the container G by the presser feet F. The heating element I38 in the shoe I35 is connectible to a source of current.

We claim:

1. In a device of the type described; a continuously rotating drum; a cylinder extending diametrically across the drum; a bearing mounted in each end of the cylinder; a hollow suction head slidably mounted in each bearing and having a perforated end normally lying flush with the outer periphery of the drum; each head having a hollow piston rod integral therewith; a piston mounted at the inner end of each rod and spaced from its bearing; a stationary header for the drum and having a suction compartment; said cylinder having two openings, each one communicating with the space between one of the pistons and the adjacent bearing; said hollow piston rods having openings communicating with the same spaces; said cylinder openings being alternately brought into communication with the suction compartment in the header as the drum revolves; and a second stationary header for the drum and having a compartment communicating with the atmosphere; said cylinder having two additional openings, each one communicating with the aforementioned space formed between one of the pistons and the adjacent bearing; said last-named cylinder openings being alternately brought into communication with the compartment in the second header communicating with the atmosphere as the drum revolves; the arrangement being such that each of said spaces is alternately placed under suction and then vented to the atmosphere for each revolution of the drum; the suction being such that when a label closes the openings in the perforated end of a suction head, the piston associated with the head is moved for projecting the perforated end and label beyond the drum periphery.

2. In a device of the type described; a continuously rotating drum; a cylinder extending diametrically across the drum; a bearing mounted in each end of the cylinder; a hollow suction head slidably mounted in each bearing and having a perforated end normally lying flush with the outer periphery of the drum; each head having a hollow piston rod integral therewith; a piston mounted at the inner end of each rod and spaced from its bearing; a stationary header for the drum and having a suction compartment; said cylinder having two openings, each one communicating with the space between one of the pistons and the adjacent bearing; said hollow piston rods having openings communicating with the same spaces; said cylinder openings being alternately brought into communication with the suction compartment in the header as the drum revolves; a second stationary header for the drum and having a compartment communicating with the atmosphere; said cylinder having two additional openings, each one communicating with the aforementioned space formed between one of the pistons and the adjacent bearing; said lastnamed cylinder openings being alternately brought into communication with the compartment in the second header communicating with the atmosphere as the drum revolves; the arrangement being such that each of said spaces is alternately placed under suction and then vented to the atmosphere for each revolution of the drum; the suction being such that when a label closes the openings in the perforated end of a suction head, the piston associated with the head is moved for projecting the perforated end and label beyond the drum periphery; and adjustable stops for limiting the outward movement of the suction heads when supporting a label.

THOMAS L. COOK. ASI'HJEY J. HOLLINGSWORTH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,641,045 Oslund et a1. Aug. 30, 1927 1,774,502 Boulton Sept. 2, 1930 1,790,594 Oslund Jan. 27', 1931 2,279,844 Smith et al Apr. 14, 1942 2,341,521 Baker et a1. Feb. 15, 1944 2,352,720 Knowlton July 4, 1944 2,391,694 Everett Dec. 25, 1945 2,449,298 Hoppe Sept. 14, 1948 2,495,174 McClatchie Jan. 17, 1950 2,498,667 Fischer et a1 Feb. 28, 1950 2,525,741 Von Hofe Oct. 10, 1950 2,527,272 Lyon et al. Oct. 24, 1950 2,542,282 Lissimore Feb. 20, 1951 2,545,292 Magnusson Mar. 13, 1951 

